Freeman, Delabar elected as All-Stars; Puig misses

By JAY COHEN, Associated Press

Friday, July 12, 2013

So much for Puig-mania sweeping the country. Give this contest to Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Freeman and Toronto reliever Steve Delabar won the fan voting for the final spots in next week’s All-Star game, meaning Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig is likely headed for a few days off after a terrific stretch to begin his major league career.

Freeman set a record with 19.7 million votes, and Puig was second. Major League Baseball didn’t release the vote total for Puig, but said the Cuban defector also surpassed the previous record for the final vote of 15.6 million for Shane Victorino in 2009.

“It’s unbelievable,” Freeman said. “I’m kind of speechless. I wouldn’t be here without the fans and I just saw that it’s 19.7 million votes. It’s incredible and it’s just a dream come true.”

Freeman was taking ground balls during batting practice before Atlanta’s 6-5 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday night when general manager Frank Wren called him over and told him about his first All-Star selection. The slugger had three hits and four RBIs against the Reds and is batting .313 with nine homers and 60 RBIs in 79 games.

“I never, ever thought that I would make one,” Freeman said. “I just wanted to get to the big leagues, and when I got here I just wanted to win ballgames. All-Star games were not on my mind.

“To win this is just beyond me.”

Puig won’t get to play in the July 16 game at Citi Field in New York unless he is added as an injury replacement. The outfielder is batting .394 with eight homers and 19 RBIs heading into Thursday night’s home game against Colorado, helping the Dodgers shoot up the NL West standings following a slow start.

“I don’t have my head down at all,” Puig said through an interpreter before the game. “I want to congratulate Freddie Freeman for winning the vote. I’m happy for everyone who voted. I have to keep playing. Hopefully the best things come out for this team for the future.”

Puig has been in the majors for only five weeks, leading some to question whether he belongs on the NL team.

“If he can continue to do what he’s doing over seasons, then we’re going to see a lot of Yasiel,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “How good you are really is measured over time.”

The final vote for the AL team also had its share of controversy, with Tigers manager Jim Leyland nominating five middle relievers for the spot. There was some talk about whether the list should have included more high-profile players, since the All-Star game is essentially geared toward the fans.

Delabar won with 9.6 million votes. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 37 appearances for the Blue Jays.

The Braves and Blue Jays had partnered up in the process, asking fans to vote for each other’s player.

The other players on the list included righties David Robertson of the Yankees, Joaquin Benoit of the Tigers, Koji Uehara of the Red Sox, and Tanner Scheppers of the Rangers.